Factors influencing men's involvement in reproductive health in Arusha and Arumeru districts, Tanzania

Abstract

The study findings were thematically grouped into three themes including the coordination and partnerships, culture and implementation challenges. Poor coordination and failure of systems in place appeared to characterise the many challenges. Gender inequalities and masculine dominated cultural practices like polygamy and widow inheritance are associated with consequences of ill health among women; including high HIV/AIDS prevalence, early marriage, high teenage pregnancies and high maternal mortality. Although these practices are in favor of men, they hardly protect them from the wrath of poor RH like STDS, HIV/AIDS, stressful big families and vast poverty. Hence, Tanzanian men are also victims of their own behavior.